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Phil Kessel brings Stanley Cup to Toronto, visits SickKids hospital

Phil Kessel brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children Monday on his day with the trophy. Kessel, 28, had previously said there was a “good chance” he’d bring the Cup back to Toronto, where he spent six seasons as a Maple Leaf.

Phil Kessel did what Maple Leafs fans had always hoped he would: he brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto. The only difference is he did so as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins rather than as one of the cities beloved Maple Leafs.

But even the biggest Maple Leafs supporter would have a hard time faulting Kessel, 28, for his Stanley Cup plans. On Monday, Kessel had his day with the trophy, and he brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children for a private event for patients and their families.

It’s not much of a surprise that Kessel, who spent six seasons with the Maple Leafs, brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto. Following the Penguins Cup victory, Kessel told Sportsnet 590’s Joey Vendetta that he was thinking about bringing the sport’s biggest prize to Toronto. The city served as a second home for the Madison, Wis., native, and he said he still frequents Toronto.

“I probably will end up bringing it back (to Toronto). Nothing for sure yet, nothing’s been decided, but I think there’s a good chance that’ll happen,” Kessel told Vendetta. “I have a lot of friends in Toronto. That’s kinda where I spend most of my time now.”

Kessel’s performance in the post-season was one of the best stories of the playoffs, as he scored 10 goals and 22 points in 24 games as part of the ‘HBK Line’ alongside Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin.